Amaranth (20 page)

I dashed back to the Jeep and dumped my work shirt and shoes
into the backseat, replaced them with an old t-shirt and durable riding boots
that would hopefully be useful in my surroundings. I pulled the boots on over
my jeans and slammed the car door shut, took a deep breath as I patted my
pockets for anything I didn’t need. Vampire repellant would be helpful to take
with me. A shame it wasn’t on the market just yet. I tossed my hair into a
loose ponytail and stalked toward the tree, then ruthlessly grabbed hold of the
branch to accept the challenge. Wrapping both arms around it, I pushed down
forcefully, felt it crack as it gave way. I could already the feel the elements
change, as they had the night my friends left me.

Immediately, I began shivering and watched the water roar to
life, wondered when I should enter. Creeping toward the bayou’s edge, I
couldn’t help but think of drowning. The anxious, uncomfortable feeling of
holding your breath for too long, lungs signaling it was time to get air, and
fast. What would happen once I surrendered to the water’s pull? Once my feet
were in the swirling water—or worse, once my head went under the water—would
something terrible happen to me?

I stared down into the magnetic water, amazed at the violet
color it emanated, then shut my eyes and stepped forward. The swishing
current’s powerful tug thrashed around my knees, and I opened my eyes and waded
in farther, kept my hands up near my waist.

“Oh, this is too good.”

The words were followed by menacing laughter. I swung my
head around and peered up toward the magic tree, shrieked when I saw Andrew’s
loathsome face.

“You just made my night, sweetheart.”

Before I had time to think, he lunged from the tree, grabbed
my ponytail and dragged me farther into the water. His cursed eyes were
present, no sign of humanness in them. I didn’t bother fighting his hold on me.
There was no hope for me now.

“You really think you can just stroll into the city of the
undead and rescue your precious boyfriend?” He gave my head another hard yank
as he stood behind me, his other arm clamped around my neck. We stood waist
deep now, inches from the center of the swirling vortex.

“Please, don’t do this, Andrew, please—” I squirmed away
from his fangs, felt his breath on the back of my neck.

“I’d love nothing more than to have you for dinner right
now, but you’re good for more than just a meal at the moment, so you’re going
to do me one last favor.”

“I can’t give you anything you want. I’m nothing to you.”

“No, you’re going to give me something I
need
.”

Trembling, I shut my eyes as he cupped his hand tightly over
my mouth.

Jerking me forward, his body moved with mine as he plunged
us into the fathomless abyss. Under water, I opened my eyes and to my surprise
could see clearly; no muck or fog clouded my vision. Heavenly spirals of lucent
magenta whirled around me, peaceful trails of bubbles floated toward the
surface as spurts of air escaped my lips. The streams of vivid light brightened
and the moon faded off into the distance, the surface of the water transforming
into a bright, blinding white canvas as the earth shook beneath us. My feet
were dragged toward the muddy, evolving floor, and the force pulled me farther
and farther down, my body swept away like a rag doll. Wrapped in my attacker’s
cocoon, I yielded to his perilous direction.

After plummeting down a narrow tunnel of dirt, soil, and
roots of the earth, we crashed onto a cold black-and-white tile floor, struck
it with a loud smack. I laid there drenched, puddles of water around me, unsure
how long I’d been unconscious. We were in an underground passage of some sort,
the ground above us low and threatening.

My head throbbed, and as I grabbed the back of it, I
wondered if I’d broken any bones from the fall.

“Get up.” Andrew stood to his feet to jerk me to mine. Sore
but able to stand, I quickly obeyed. Pulling me by the arm, he rushed me down
the confined hall toward a set of stone steps in front of a jagged
medieval-looking door made of wood and bones. I quivered at the gruesome sight,
and distracted myself by looking at the cool rock walls and the archaic
candelabra lanterns that hung eerily from them, dimly lighting the ancient
path.

Andrew latched onto the crescent-shaped iron doorknob and
gave it an aggressive tug, stepped back as a cloud of dust and dirt fumed
around us. The heavy door creaked open and revealed an ashen sky and a vast
perimeter of land that stretched toward a breathtaking imperial cathedral
situated high on a hill. Directly in front of us, a dirt path led to the
entrance of a gorgeous English garden, and an impressive maze of perfectly tidy
trees.

“We won’t be needing this,” he said, pointed to the path.
“Stay close, you wouldn’t want to wander off on your own around here. Much too
dangerous.” He gave me a wink that sickened me.

“Where are you taking me?”

“I
said
the details aren’t
important.”

“If you’re going to kill me, why not just get it over with?”

“Who said anything about killing you? Where’s the fun in
that?” He turned to pick me up, then tossed me over his shoulder and leaped
into the air, flew past the quaint maze entrance and over the vibrant green
terrain toward the enormous castle.

I glanced at the lush grounds as they whizzed past us,
mesmerized. The rich emerald hues popped against the pallid sky, and the
incandescent scenery offered stark contrast to the dull, macabre skyline. It
all made me shiver, knowing the fascination would be short lived. I was headed
toward something sinister, and I didn’t need to look at Andrew as he carried me
to be reminded of it. The classically beautiful architecture and landscape were
exquisite, but far too beautiful for such a dangerous place.

My instincts kicked back in and I said, “Just tell me where
you’re taking me!”

“No need to get all worked up,
darlin
’.
You’re about to meet royalty, you know.” He stopped flying when we reached the
castle’s moat, dropped me to the ground and looked up at it towering over us.

“Royalty. You’re taking me to Samira.” I stood, dusted
myself off. Assessing the moat, I wrung out my damp shirt.

“You were on your way to see her anyhow.”

“Not with you, I wasn’t. What are you thinking? She’s just
going to kill you too, is that what you want?”

“Stop talking.” He grabbed my arm again and lurched forward,
marched us toward the entryway, then greeted a cluster of tall, human-like
creatures: vampires on steroids. Their hooded cloaks concealed most of their features,
but their fangs were front and center.

“Where is Marie?” One of the tall, ghastly vamps asked
Andrew.

“There is no Marie. I am here to bring the queen what she
most desires.”

“Who sent you?” The guard stepped forward and let down the
hood of his gray cloak, revealing a hard stare. “What did you do with Marie?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about. Are you going to let
me see her or not?”

The suspicious guard glanced at the other two guards
standing next to him, returned his attention to Andrew. “What exactly do you
have for Her Highness?”

“Insurance.”

My mind didn’t have time to wrestle with what Andrew’s reply
meant. I was too busy shrinking away in fear of the grisly watchmen. They
didn’t look like the other vampires I’d met. Extremely built with broad
shoulders, they looked far more animalistic, with wide snouts and heavy brows.

“Come this way,” the creature reluctantly ordered, led us
through the castle doors.

Once inside, I gawked at the long corridor in wonder and
realized it was a massive conservatory. Under the gloomy light that filtered
through the glass ceiling, hundreds of flawless rose bushes sat nestled along
the cold stone ground, each one displaying hordes of the most beautiful red
roses I’d ever seen.

“Excited yet?” Andrew whispered, watched me marvel at the
luxurious garden.

“You know, I believe you owe me some gratitude. Without me,
you wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. You wouldn’t be able to see
your
beloved
. You should be happy I followed you
from that sorry job of yours to the portal. I did you a great favor.”

“I didn’t
need
you for
anything. You’re only getting in the way.”

“Believe me, sweetheart. You wouldn’t have made it two steps
past that portal door without me. They would’ve sensed a mortal all alone,
would’ve snatched you up in seconds. I did you a favor, and now you’re going to
do one for me.”

“I don’t
owe
you anything.”

“Enough,” The burly guard bellowed, and bid us to follow him
past two lofty wooden doors into a spacious granite-floored room, it’s focal point
a stately velvet throne chair. The quiet crackle of a fire sounded from behind
the empty throne.

“I must say this is an honor.” The woman’s voice filled the
room; a strong echo followed as she emerged from behind us. Her next words were
to order the guard to leave. Though no one had spoken her name, I knew this was
Samira. The room looked literally fit for a queen, and the way the guard obeyed
the woman’s voice told me she was in charge.

The guard shut the doors behind him and left us with a
creation that only my worst nightmares could fabricate. Her appearance shocked
me, just as this new beautiful world had, caused me to wonder how such a
gorgeous being could be so fatal. I didn’t allow my eyes to deceive me, aware
that her kind smile wasn’t in any way to be trusted.

“You are the first mortal to grace us with your presence in
some time.” She moved toward us, acknowledged Andrew only with a tight smile,
kept her arctic-blue eyes on mine. “And how brave you are, to choose such
company,” she lifted her delicate lace train as she made a slithering sway
around me, extended a hand with intimidating red claws to fool with my hair.
“What can I do for you, my pet?”

“I brought her here, Your Highness, she is—”

“Silence. You will speak when spoken to. We will get to
that.” She slipped in front of me and took my hand, as though wanting to
display her sincerity. “As I was saying, child. Why is it you are here? What is
your name?”

I dropped my eyes from hers, intimidated by her piercing
gaze, admired the deep red satin corset that cinched her svelte waist. Her
ebony hair against her ice-cold milky skin added a chilling harshness to her
exterior, which heightened the intimidation. I lifted my chin to speak more
confidently.

“I’m Camille. Andrew did bring me here, but I was coming
here to speak to you on my own. I’m here to see someone, a friend of mine. He
came here just recently.”

“Of course. Gavin, presumably.”

“Yes. I know he came here to go into exile, and I was
wondering if I might be able to speak to him one last time.”

“One last time?”

“Well, I understand he was in some trouble with you …for
being with me,” I gulped, “and I’d like to take his place, to pay whatever
punishment you had in mind for him. If it’s not too late.”

I peeked at Andrew, surprised to see him wide-eyed and
afraid. Not knowing if that would be my last sight, I cherished his expression.

Samira stepped away from me, squinted while she considered
my request. I was unsure whether to explain myself further, so I remained
silent with the hopes of agitating her less. Two hulking gray wolves appeared
from behind her throne, and I jumped back, watched them make their way to her
side. My heart pounded through my chest, and I tried to stay composed.

“Well I must say, this is a turn of events,” she exhaled. I
caught a glimpse of a red
mojo
bag attached to her
wrist, and other remnants of her familiarity with Voodoo began to jump out at
me: the cobalt blue bottles on the windowsills, the eclectic spirit dolls
sprawled across the altar next to her throne.

“This is certainly something to be discussed in private,”
she continued, tilted her head and peered toward an open doorway. “Victor,” she
shouted, “come at once.” As the servant hustled in, she stepped in front of
Andrew to address him. “I am delighted to see that you have brought Camille
here to me, although it seems she was perfectly content finding her way to me
on her own.”

“Yes Your Majesty, but I—”

“You assumed this would ensure a lenient punishment for your
rebellious acts and the disgrace you have bestowed upon me and my kingdom.” She
smiled at Victor as he came to stand beside her.

“Well, y-yes,” Andrew stammered. “I know what the girl means
to y-you.”

“Do you, now?”

“I … thought you’d be pleased.”

“Oh, I am certainly pleased. Your debt was soon to be collected,
and well … here you are, ready to pay in full.”

“Yes,” he glanced at me, relieved. “I wanted to pay my dues,
and I hope this will suffice. Am I free to go?”

She tilted her head back and laughed, then lowered those
cold blue eyes to his. “Camille clearly intended to come here on her own free
will. So you see my child, the problem now is not only your debt, but your
interference. Your freedom is a liberty which you have chosen to abuse, and now
you stand before me offering me something you have no business offering, to
secure none other than yourself.”

The two wolves hovered closer to her, positioned themselves
to block Andrew’s movement. “Unfortunately, Camille is not yours to claim as
payment. You are not only still in debt, but as I stated, you have also
interfered in my affairs, and therefore are subject to just punishment.”

Taking his hand in hers, she stepped closer to him and
looked down, apathetic.

“Please, Your Highness, please, no! I beg of you!” Andrew
shrieked, shook as she held his hand. His expression desperate, he stared into
her eyes, and I backed away from them, wrapped my arms around my body. I tried
to cover my eyes but couldn’t look away. “Your Highness, I can give you more!”